Got my alarm fitted :)

[Aidan]

Finally, got myself a Clifford alarm fitted yesterday. It’s a Concept 650 and I have to say I'm well impressed. The anti car-jack system is brilliant, although its a bit annoying having to type a code in every time I start the car, and a bit embarrassing if I forget to enter the code and the car starts beeping and flashing the brake and indicator lights while driving down the road.
The guy that installed it for me done an absolute fantastic job. He spent about 6 hours in total fitting it. He really made sure that every thing was neat and tidy before he finished. All the cables and wires were well hidden and all of them insulated and he even put plastic conduit around the wires in the engine bay. He was so particular that he spent a couple on minutes placing the window stickers and making sure they were straight. The total cost of alarm and fitting was 650 euro.
I got his name and number from Telas Ltd, who are the distributor for Clifford. His name is Fergal Nangle. I was telling about this site and he said that if he got enough interest from other members he would be able to offer us discounts on alarms/accessories etc. If anybody is looking for someone to fit/repair alarms I would strongly recommend this guy.
His number is 0857255675, he trades under the name PFS Motovation.

[agent s]

Yaaaay! Fellow Clifford FTO My p&j got fitted as soon as I got him back after some scumbag 'borrowed' him for 2 weeks & changed his reg plates!!
I've gotten caught out a good few times with ye olde code typing... not fun at all being stuck on the side of the road (that's if you manage to pull in before the engine cuts out!!) trying to type in the correct code at the correct time while it's doing its 6 siren alarm!!

[CJ]

Lads, I might look at getting a Clifford alarm installed in the not so distant future, I'm particularly interested in the remote start feature, I wonder do the doors stay locked once you've started the engine remotely? Where are your installers based?

CJ

[Aidan]

Lads, I might look at getting a Clifford alarm installed in the not so distant future, I'm particularly interested in the remote start feature, I wonder do the doors stay locked once you've started the engine remotely? Where are your installers based?

CJ

Yeah the doors stay locked and the alarm remains armed. Also the car cannot be driven until the alarm is disarmed and the key is in the ignition. If the alarm is triggered the system automatically turns off the engine and immobilises the car.
Check here for some basic info:
http://www.clifford.com/guides/ogs/intellistart4_owners.pdf

The guy that installed mine is based in Maynooth, but he travelled up to Ballymount and installed it outside my job. As I said above Id highly recommend him.

[ikeane]

If I'm not mistaken (and I could be) if the car is a manual and the remote start is used while the car is in gear, it will actually try to start the car anyway, jumping along up the road ...and worse again will keep trying until the car starts (or hits another car).
Is this an urban myth??? Anyone know?

[Aidan]

I think it is a bit of a myth alright,

Some info taken from the above pdf about manual transmission:-

For safety reasons, the transmission must be left in neutral if
the engine will be remotely started. To assure safe remote
starting, you must perform these steps before exiting:
1. Park and, while the engine is running, place the
transmission in neutral and set the hand brake.
2. Without touching the brake, transmit channel 11
(LevelShift button twice, then button 3) on the master
remote or the button combination on the other remote
assigned by your Authorized Clifford Dealer. Two
parking light flashes will confirm this action.
3. Turn the ignition off and remove your keys. The engine
will continue to idle.
4. Exit and arm. The engine will shut down. This prepares
the system to later accept your remote starting command.

Sounds like more trouble than its worth tbh.

[CJ]

Sounds like more trouble than its worth tbh.

I agree There are simpler (arguely less secure) remote-start enabled alarms out there....

CJ

[ikeane]

Can anyone recommend an alarm fitter in or around Limerick?
I can find a fitter myself but seeing as the job of fitting the alarm is supposed to be half the 'good' in good alarm, (ie its important the person fitting the alarm knows what they're doing) a recommendation would be welcome...

[CJ]

His name is Fergal Nangle. I was telling about this site and he said that if he got enough interest from other members he would be able to offer us discounts on alarms/accessories etc.

Aidan, I called Fergal this afternoon and had a lenghty discussion with him on the various alarm options, he sounds like a decent bloke. Anyway, he's coming out to me tomorrow morning to install an alarm in the Rex, I've opted for the Clifford 650 with remote start and turbo timer, its far from cheap (€1k plus ) but I feel its a worthwhile investment, the TT and remote start options will be really useful - I won't have to stay sat in the car with the engine idleing for a few mins before and after each drive.

CJ

[Aidan]

Yeah, he is a decent bloke alright, bit of a yapper too
Its good to know someone like him especially if you have any problems after installation. I thought mine was acting up a couple of weeks ago. On arming and disarming the alarm wouldn't "chirp". I rang Fergal and he was willing to call out to me the next day and have a look at it. For some reason the problem corrected itself that evening so I told him to leave it and I'd call him if it happened again.
It certainly is a worthwhile investment, I don't see the point in getting a €200 alarm that can be bypassed in less than a minute. It also helps in getting a good nights sleep, before I got mine fitted I was jumping out of bed at the slightest noise outside

With the turbo timer I'd say it will feel very strange walking away from your car and leaving the engine running. I'd be still very paranoid for a while and stand beside it until it stopped - which defeats the purpose of it entirely

[CJ]

It took the installer a day and a half but the Clifford Concept 650 is finally installed, its some piece of kit. It includes a remote start option, a turbo timer, duel zone proximity sensor and an anti car-jack option. The Rex is pretty much unstealable - as well as disarming with the keyfob, you must enter a code before you drive off. On the flipside, theres a load of key combos to remember and you could easily be caught out if you forget to enter your code, that said, I'll sleep soundly at night!

CJ

[kevinod]

Nice... is the keypad nice and tidy?

Had a keypad in my Saxo which was standard kit, (first car, completely standard) which I always thought was cool, better than a keyfob that someone could find & then just drive off in your car. Of course I put an alarm in it too as an attempt to protect anything inside the car.

[CJ]

Nice... is the keypad nice and tidy?

Yeah, its only two buttons and is barely noticeable...

CJ

[adrian]

They describe the 650 on their site as "Entry level"...jeez, must have some sweet gear if that entry level!

http://www.clifford.com/uk/products/concept650.asp

[mcgon1979]

Rang Ferghal up. he is one of the nicest guys you could speak to. Went through all the options and chatted for 15 mins. He was delighted the plug was still up on the FTO-Ireland site.

I just need to choose now I guess. the 650 or the 470 or the 51 arrow. hmmm..... Im on a budget, but still.... will do some research before choosing.

[CJ]

He was delighted the plug was still up on the FTO-Ireland site.

Nice one

CJ

[dave100]

CJ, can you adjust the turbo timer feature? Iv got it on my 650 but im sure its more than 2 mins although i haven't timed it yet.

[mcgon1979]

while were asking about the concept 650 I have a quick question. Does the blackjack feature ever get on your nerves? Can it be turned off during the day when your popping into shop etc. and just armed at night when car is more likley to be seized.

chores.

[CJ]

CJ, can you adjust the turbo timer feature? Iv got it on my 650 but im sure its more than 2 mins although i haven't timed it yet.

Yes you can but you need the Clifford application (free download) and a Cliffnet cable (ebay) to hook into the alarm. Alternatively, your alarm installer can do it handy enough. I've mine set at 2.5 mins, but I don't use is all the time - its much better to drive off bosst on the last few miles home to ensure the turbos cool down sufficiently. Leaving the car idling after a hard run tends to result in heat soak which isn't good for the cooling system.

while were asking about the concept 650 I have a quick question. Does the blackjack feature ever get on your nerves? Can it be turned off during the day when your popping into shop etc. and just armed at night when car is more likley to be seized.

Yes, its gets on my nerves but I've learned to live with it. You can disable this feature with a key combo on the keyfob, I'll let you look up the process in themanual rather than mention it on a public forum, alternatively speak to Ed, he's familiar with it.

CJ

[mcgon1979]

Hi all,

Still no alarm. It's a long story and no point going into it here. I've decided to look elsewhere for someone to fit the alarm. Has anyone on here any experience with Al Green? no, not the soul singer, this guy www.incar.ie

He fits the Concept 670 (not the 650) and he supplies and fits cheaper than Fergal. anyone familiar with his work. I've been on and off the phone to Fergal about 9 times in the past 2 weeks but he is very very busy and has not been able to confirm a date or get it done yet It's a pity as I have heard great stuff of his work. anyways, I am away on holidays on friday and I really really need the car sorted before that. Maybe one of you guys know Fergal or Al and can call in a favour or something. I wouldn't post like this only I'm fairly desperate top have something fitted before I leave my baby alone for 10 days.


help...


McGon

edited for clarity

[mcgon1979]

update:

Well can't get an answer off Fergal at all today, so looks like I'll need to scrap that idea. Thats 2 weeks, 10 calls, a cancelled appointment, and other assorted difficulties in trying to get it done. Too much hassle. Rang Al Greene from incar.ie but he doesn't do callouts. The hours Im working it would really suit me better if someone could call out to work and do it. anyone know of anyone else who does callouts and fits cliffords? Either that or I'll just have to leave it 2 or 3 weeks and try Fergal again I'm just not to happy putting it off as you can imagine. The car is not kept in the best of areas either.

[CJ]

anyone know of anyone else who does callouts and fits cliffords?

Try these guys, don't know if they do call outs though:

http://www.aaasystems.ie/

http://www.mdsireland.ie/

CJ

[mcgon1979]

Thanks CJ. I'll check them out.

I just got a call of Fergal this second. He is flat out (as I had guessed) but said he will try and squeeze me in tomorrow on the way home from Leitrim (jobs on down there). After that he won't be back in Dublin till the weekend, so its the last window of opportunity a sI'm off for 10 days on friday morning. Will be great if he makes it. I'll let you know how I get on anyways as the quest continues.

[mcgon1979]

Fergal was gonna drop in to fit the alarm on the way back from Leitrim today. He said he would give me a ring a few hours in advance in afternoon etc to let me know he was on his way back to dublin etc. Anyways I never heard anything all afternoon but got a call at 915pm though. He was on his way here to fit my alarm would you believe and the van started stuttering. so he pulled in for petrol and the van won't start then. how unlucky I am? Terrible stroke of fotune. He is removing the head now and the injectors (in a forecourt?) to see if he can get it running and will then see if he can sort me out. Said he'd call back if he gets it going again. Although its 9:30pm now and with a 4 - 5 hour fitment time (in the dark) I wouldn't say it will be today somehow. Hope he gets his van running though otherwise he'll miss his jobs in sligo tomorrow. yikes!! As for me, I'll just wait it out. The Irony will be thick though if my car is nicked when Im on holidays. touch wood.

[mcgon1979]

got another call back. He can get his apprentice to do it on thursday... he is working with him 3.5 months now and Fergal says he wouldn;'t get him to do it if he wasn;t up to the job. Its the only way it will get done pre holiday! I think I'll chance it. Fergal says he will stand over it 100% and fix anything if its not right. he also said he may even check it out afterwards to make sure it was fitted right. etc.
I'll chance it. The guy must be alright if Fergal would send him out to do this job given the circumstances etc.